business idea?

[gemini6474]

im currently in the process of trying to start my own photography business, i mainly want to get into portrait and event. i dont have a business license yet still have to go the county office and see what i got to do to get that. my roomate took our dog to the groomers the other day and had a hard time explaining how he wanted the dogs hair cut, they dont have any pictures of examples for people to look at, he said i should ask if i could come by daily and take pictures of their work and make a catolog for them, he said all of the places around here he took the dog are the same and i could make one catolog and sell it to all of them, it seems like a good idea but i dont know how to go about it or if i can even aproach these places without a business license, just thought i would run the idea thru the forum and see what responces i get.

[csm328]

Why don't you just wait outside the groomers and get the dog owners as they come out? Tell them you're making a portfolio of the dogs, have a mini studio/backdrop setup, offer them a free 5X7 (.32c from COSTCO or similar) get them to sign a simple release and put a catalogue together. But don't just do that, go one step further. Make up some 'handouts', a flyer for mailbox delivery etc. Sell them a 'package' instead of merely a catalogue. Market yourself first and your skills second. I think it's a good idea. If you have InDesign and know how to use it, you'll be golden in no time.

[gemini6474]

thats a good idea too, i didnt think of that, but i dont know if the groomers would like me outside their business, maybe if set up at a nearby park and had them go over there, knowing people and their pets they would pry be willing for a free picture, and my roomates girlfriend does know indesign, thanks alot for the advice.

[Jon, The Elder]

Market yourself first and your skills second. I think it's a good idea. If you have InDesign and know how to use it, you'll be golden in no time.

Thats exactly (kind of) how I built my business up.
It is a nice "niche" market and not all jammed up like Weddings. I shoot horses.

[Tazthecat]

Have you thought about incorporating yourself with an LLC? That way you are registered as a business, have the liability protection of being under an LLC, and the income is taxed as if it were regular income (none of the double taxation that regular corporations have to deal with ). Sounds like you have a good niche business idea. I mainly do portfolio books for landscape designers and nurseries as well as promotional material (like brochures and postcards ) . Also if you ever want to put together a book of your material, I would look into lulu.com. You can order books one at a time, the price is very reasonible, and the print quality is good.

Hope this helps.

-ron-

[Sonic Infidel]

I shoot horses.

Ha! I'm sorry...that made me laugh, considering I live a couple of miles from the last remaining horse slaughter plant in the U.S. and it's been in the news for the past three months.

On the topic, that sounds like a great idea. Maybe I'll try something like that.